German Question Word: 'What' (Was)
was for things and actions in any case—it's the simplest, unchanging question word in German.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The word 'was' is the German equivalent of 'what' and is used to ask about things, actions, or abstract concepts.
- Use 'was' to ask about objects: 'Was ist das?' (What is that?)
- Use 'was' for general actions: 'Was machst du?' (What are you doing?)
- Always place 'was' at the start of a question: 'Was hast du gesagt?' (What did you say?)
Overview
The German interrogative pronoun was functions as the primary tool for inquiring about non-personal entities, making it indispensable for A2 learners navigating everyday communication. Similar to the English "what," was serves as a placeholder for an unknown object, action, or abstract concept that you are seeking to identify or understand. Its consistent usage allows for direct questions like Was ist das? (What is that?) or Was machst du? (What are you doing?).
A key characteristic of was is its grammatical invariance in the Nominative and Accusative cases. This means its form remains unchanged regardless of whether it acts as the subject or direct object in a sentence. This simplifies its application significantly compared to the complex declension patterns of other German pronouns and articles.
Understanding was also requires distinguishing it from wer (who), used exclusively for persons, and welcher/welche/welches (which), employed when selecting from a specific, limited set of options. The German language makes a clear grammatical distinction between animate (people) and inanimate (things) entities, influencing pronoun choice and, at more advanced levels, sentence structure.
How This Grammar Works
Was serves as an interrogative pronoun specifically designed to ask about things, objects, abstract ideas, or actions. It never refers to people. This strict distinction is paramount.was at the A2 level is its invariable form in the Nominative and Accusative cases; it does not change its spelling whether it functions as a subject or a direct object.wer (who) declines for case (wer {Nom}, wen {Acc}, wem {Dat}, wessen {Gen}), was remains constant:wer) | Things (was) |wer | was |wen | was |was. For instance, in Was ist das? (What is that?), was functions as the Nominative subject, inquiring about the identity of an item. In Was siehst du? (What do you see?), was acts as the Accusative direct object, asking about the object of vision.was persists, simplifying its usage for learners.was cannot directly follow a preposition when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Instead, German employs wo- compounds (Pronominaladverbien).wo- with a preposition to form interrogatives like "about what" or "with what." This construction avoids placing a non-personal interrogative pronoun directly after a preposition, a common practice in English (e.g., "What are you talking about?").Mit was schreibst du? (which is grammatically incorrect in standard German, though occasionally heard in very informal or regional speech). Instead, you must use the wo- compound womit: Womit schreibst du? (What are you writing with?). Similarly, Worüber sprecht ihr? (What are you talking about?) is used in place of Über was sprecht ihr?.r is inserted between wo and the preposition for phonetic reasons, creating wor- (e.g., woran, worauf, worüber, worum, woraus). This systematic formation ensures clarity and grammatical correctness in prepositional phrases involving non-personal interrogatives. The underlying principle is that prepositions that refer to things (not people) merge with the interrogative or relative pronoun to form these adverbial compounds.was for non-persons only, and remember its invariant form in Nominative and Accusative. For prepositional phrases inquiring about things, always use the appropriate wo- compound.Formation Pattern
was in German primarily follows the standard V2 (verb-second) word order for main clauses. This means the conjugated verb consistently occupies the second position in the sentence. Was itself typically takes the first position, immediately preceding the verb, establishing a clear and predictable structure for informational questions.
was questions is:
Was: The interrogative pronoun always begins the question, signaling a query about a non-personal entity or action.
was) / Other Clause Elements: If was is not the subject (i.e., it is the direct object), the grammatical subject follows the verb. If was is the subject, other necessary clause elements (e.g., direct objects, adverbs) come next.
Was ist das? (What is that?) – Here, was functions as the subject, and ist is the conjugated verb in the second position.
Was machst du? (What are you doing?) – was is the direct object, machst is the verb, and du is the subject.
Was haben sie heute gegessen? (What did they eat today?) – was is the direct object, haben is the auxiliary verb in V2 position, sie is the subject, and gegessen (the past participle) is the main verb at the end of the clause.
Was | liest | er | gerade (What is he reading right now?) |
Was | trinkt | ihr | am liebsten (What do you all like to drink most?) |
Was | würde | sie | gern sehen (What would she like to see?) |
haben {to have}, sein {to be}, werden {to become}, or modal verbs), the auxiliary verb always takes the second position, while the main verb (in its infinitive or past participle form) moves to the very end of the sentence. This split structure, known as a verb bracket, is a hallmark of German syntax and frames the core verbal action within its temporal or modal context.
Was willst du am Wochenende machen? (What do you want to do on the weekend?)
Was hast du gestern Abend gelesen? (What did you read last night?)
was für ein/eine/ein (what kind of a/an). This interrogative structure specifically asks about the type, nature, or category of something, rather than its mere identity. Critically, the indefinite article ein (or eine/ein) then declines according to the case and gender of the noun it modifies. The initial was für part remains invariable.
was für ein | was für eine | was für ein |
was für einen| was für eine | was für ein |
Was für ein Auto das ist das? (What kind of car is that?) – Auto is neuter, Nominative.
Was für eine Sprache die lernst du? (What kind of language are you learning?) – Sprache is feminine, Nominative.
Was für einen Film der siehst du? (What kind of film are you watching?) – Film is masculine, Accusative.
Was ist das?) to classifying its type (Was für ein Auto ist das?). Always ensure the indefinite article matches the gender and case of the noun following für.
When To Use It
was makes it a cornerstone for eliciting a wide range of information about non-personal subjects. Its application spans various communicative contexts, from identifying concrete objects to inquiring about abstract concepts, actions, or states. Understanding these specific scenarios will enhance your ability to formulate precise questions.- 1Identifying Objects, Concepts, or Events: This is the most direct application. Use
waswhen you need to ascertain the name, nature, or identity of something unfamiliar or undefined.
Was ist das?(What is that?) – A foundational question for identifying an unknown object or entity.Was bedeutet das Wort 'Feierabend' der?(What does the word 'Feierabend' mean?) – Asking for the definition or meaning of a concept.Was ist gestern passiert?(What happened yesterday?) – Inquiring about an event or occurrence.
- 1Asking about Actions or Activities: When seeking to know what someone is doing, plans to do, or what is being done,
wasis the appropriate interrogative. This applies across current, past, and future actions.
Was machst du gerade?(What are you doing right now?) – Common in informal greetings or check-ins.Was hast du am Wochenende gemacht?(What did you do on the weekend?) – Discussing completed activities.Was sollen wir heute Abend essen?(What should we eat tonight?) – Planning a future action or choice.
- 1Inquiring about States or Conditions:
Wascan also be used to understand the state of affairs, feelings, or problems, often appearing in set phrases.
Was ist los?(What's wrong? / What's up?) – A very common expression to ask about a general situation or problem.Was fehlt dir?(What's wrong with you? / What's ailing you?) – Asking about a person's condition, specifically non-personal ailments or issues affecting them.
- 1As a General Request for Information: In situations where you are seeking general details or clarification about a non-specific topic,
wasfunctions as an open-ended query.
Was gibt es Neues?(What's new?) – A casual way to ask for updates or news.Was denkst du darüber?(What do you think about that?) – Eliciting an opinion or thought on a general topic. Note thatdarüber(about that) is ada-compound, serving as a pronoun for the thing being thought about.
- 1In Indirect Questions: Beyond direct questions,
wasplays a crucial role in forming indirect questions. Here,wasacts as a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause. In these structures, the conjugated verb moves to the very end of the clause, a defining feature of German subordinate clause syntax. This demonstrates a more advanced application ofwasbridging A2 and B1 comprehension.
Ich weiß nicht, was ich tun soll.(I don't know what I should do.)Er fragte, was das sei.(He asked what that was.) – Notice the verbsei(subjunctive I) at the end.
Common Mistakes
was appears straightforward, learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls due to the subtle distinctions German grammar maintains. Recognizing and actively correcting these common errors is vital for developing accurate and idiomatic German. These mistakes often stem from direct translation from English or a lack of understanding of German's grammatical strictures, particularly regarding animacy and prepositions.- 1Using
wasfor People: This is arguably the most prevalent and significant error. In German,wasis never used to refer to a person. Usingwasfor a human being sounds impersonal, objectifying, and can be considered rude, akin to asking "What is that?" when referring to an individual.
- Incorrect:
Was ist der Mann der dort?(pointing at a man) - Correct:
Wer ist der Mann der dort?(Who is that man?) – Always usewer(and its declined formswen,wem) for people. The underlying linguistic principle is German's strict differentiation between animate (persons) and inanimate (things/concepts) entities.
- 1Direct Prepositional Use of
was: As previously explained,wascannot directly follow a preposition when asking about things. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers, who frequently use structures like "What are you waiting for?" or "What are you talking about?".
- Incorrect:
Für was wartest du?orMit was schreibst du? - Correct:
Wofür wartest du?(What are you waiting for?) orWomit schreibst du?(What are you writing with?) - The Rule: Always form a
wo-compound (Pronominaladverb) when a preposition would normally precedewasin a question about things. Remember thewor-variation (woran,worauf,worüber) for vowel-initial prepositions. While some highly informal or regional dialects might occasionally permitAn was...?, it is not standard and should be avoided in formal or semi-formal contexts.
- 1Confusing
waswithwelcher/welche/welches: Bothwasandwelchercan translate to "what" or "which" in English, but they are used in distinctly different contexts.Wasis an open-ended question seeking general information or identification from an unknown, undefined set. In contrast,welcher(which declines for gender, number, and case like an adjective) is used when you are asking for a choice from a limited, predefined set of options.
- Incorrect:
Was Buch das liest du?(You are implying a choice from a known selection of books). - Correct:
Welches Buch das liest du?(Which book are you reading? – implying a choice from books known to both speaker and listener). - Correct:
Was liest du gerne?(What do you like to read? – seeking general information about reading preferences, not a specific book). - Distinction: Think of
wasas "What in general?" andwelcheras "Which one from these specific options?"
- 1Confusing
waswithwas für ein/eine/ein: While both involvewas, their functions are different.Was(alone) asks for the identity of something.Was für ein/eine/einasks for the type, kind, or category of something. The articleein/eine/einmust correctly decline for gender and case, which is a frequent source of error.
- Scenario 1 (Identity):
- A:
Was ist das?(What is that?) - B:
Das ist ein Stuhl der.(That is a chair.) - Scenario 2 (Type/Category):
- A:
Was für ein Stuhl der ist das?(What kind of chair is that?) - B:
Das ist ein Bürostuhl der.(That is an office chair.)
Real Conversations
Understanding the grammatical rules of was is foundational, but observing its application in authentic, real-world German conversations provides invaluable insight into its pragmatic functions and cultural nuances. German speakers use was in a variety of registers, from formal inquiries to highly casual interjections, often reflecting spoken idiom and modern communication trends.
Casual Greetings and Check-ins: In informal settings, was is frequently part of common phrases to ask about a person's state or activity.
- Na, was geht ab? (Hey, what's up? / What's going on?) – A very common, colloquial greeting among friends.
- Was machst du so? (What are you up to? / What are you doing these days?) – Used when catching up with someone casually.
- Was gibt's? (What's new? / What's there?) – A quick way to ask for news or the reason for someone's presence.
Clarification and Surprise
Wie bitte? is the polite, standard form for clarification, a sharp, emphatic Was?! is common in highly informal contexts to express surprise, disbelief, or to demand immediate re-clarification. This usage mirrors the English "What?!" as an exclamation. This abruptness is generally reserved for close acquaintances; using it with strangers or superiors can be perceived as impolite. A slightly softer, but still informal, option for clarification is Was hast du gesagt? (What did you say?).Texting and Online Communication: In digital communication, brevity is often prioritized. was can appear in abbreviated forms or function similarly to etwas (something) in informal contexts.
- Hast du was gehört? (Have you heard anything?) – Here, was informally replaces etwas, common in both informal written and spoken language.
- Was machst heut abend? (What are you doing tonight?) – Often without the question mark or even the subject du, relying heavily on context and familiarity.
- Was geht so? – A common text message equivalent to "What's up?"
Expressing Indecision or Seeking Input: When faced with choices or requiring suggestions, was allows for open-ended input from others.
- Was sollen wir denn jetzt machen? (So, what should we do now?) – Seeking a course of action from a group.
- Ich weiß nicht, was ich anziehen soll. (I don't know what I should wear.) – An indirect question about a personal choice.
In Specific Idioms and Fixed Expressions: was is part of many idiomatic phrases that convey specific meanings, demonstrating its integration into everyday language.
- Was auch immer. (Whatever.) – Expressing indifference or resignation.
- Was soll's? (What of it? / What's the point?) – Dismissing something as unimportant or unavoidable.
- Was für ein Pech das! (What bad luck!) – An exclamation using was für ein.
These examples illustrate that was is not merely a grammatical construct but a dynamic element of everyday German, adapting to context, formality, and the medium of communication. Paying attention to these real-world applications will help you internalize its usage beyond textbook rules.
Quick FAQ
was, reinforcing its rules and clarifying nuances that learners often encounter.was be used for plural nouns?Absolutely. Was is grammatically invariable, meaning its form does not change to agree with the number (singular or plural) of the noun it refers to. Its singular form effectively covers plural meanings without modification. You treat it identically regardless of whether you expect a singular or plural answer.
Was ist das?(What is that? – referring to one item)Was sind das?(What are those? – referring to multiple items)Was für Geräusche das hörst du?(What kind of noises do you hear?) – Here,Geräuscheis plural, butwasremainswas.
was appear at the end of a sentence?In standard interrogative sentences, was typically occupies the first position, followed by the verb (V2 word order). However, in highly informal spoken German, especially when expressing surprise, disbelief, or demanding urgent clarification, was can indeed be placed at the end for emphasis. This is akin to the English "You did what?!" or "He said what?".
Du hast was gesagt?!(You said what?!) – Expressing shock or seeking reconfirmation.Er hat was geklaut?(He stole what?!) – Conveying disbelief.
was used in the Dative case?Technically, the interrogative pronoun was can function in the Dative case, but it is extremely rare to see was directly following a preposition that governs the Dative. The overwhelming preference in German is to use wo- compounds (Pronominaladverbien) when inquiring about things in prepositional phrases, regardless of whether the preposition governs Dative or Accusative. This reflects a fundamental principle in German: when a preposition refers to a non-personal entity, it typically forms a compound with wo- rather than directly taking was as its object. This rule streamlines sentence structure and avoids grammatical ambiguity. For instance, instead of attempting Mit was hilfst du mir? (Dative preposition mit), you would say Womit hilfst du mir? (What are you helping me with?).
was and wozu?Both relate to "what," but they ask about different aspects. Was is a general interrogative for identifying things, actions, or concepts. Wozu, a wo- compound formed from wo + zu (to/for), specifically asks about the purpose, reason, or intention behind an action or for which something is used. It translates roughly to "what for?" or "to what end?".
Was machst du?(What are you doing? – asks about the action itself)Wozu machst du das?(What are you doing that for? / For what purpose are you doing that? – asks about the purpose of the action)Was ist das?(What is that? – identifies an object)Wozu braucht man das?(What is that needed for? / For what is one needing that? – asks about the object's utility)
was function as a relative pronoun?Yes, was can indeed function as a relative pronoun, but this is typically introduced at the B1 level and beyond. When used as a relative pronoun, was refers to a general, indefinite antecedent (like alles – everything, nichts – nothing, viel – much), or to an entire preceding clause. In such cases, it introduces a subordinate clause where the conjugated verb is moved to the end, a defining characteristic of German subordinate clause word order.
Das ist alles, was ich weiß.(That is everything that I know.)Er sagte nichts, was mich überraschte.(He said nothing, which surprised me.)
was beyond direct interrogation, connecting clauses and providing broader information.3. Question Structure with 'Was'
| Position 1 | Position 2 (Verb) | Position 3 (Subject) | Rest of Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Was
|
ist
|
das
|
?
|
|
Was
|
machst
|
du
|
heute?
|
|
Was
|
hast
|
er
|
gesagt?
|
|
Was
|
möchtest
|
ihr
|
essen?
|
|
Was
|
kann
|
ich
|
tun?
|
|
Was
|
sind
|
deine
|
Hobbys?
|
Common Spoken Contractions
| Full Form | Spoken Form |
|---|---|
|
Was ist
|
Was's
|
|
Was hast du
|
Was hast'n
|
Meanings
The interrogative pronoun 'was' is used to inquire about things, activities, or situations.
Direct Object
Asking about an object or action.
“Was kaufst du?”
“Was liest du?”
Indefinite Pronoun
Used as 'something' in specific contexts.
“Ich habe was für dich.”
“Da ist was im Busch.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Simple
|
Was + Verb + Subject
|
Was ist das?
|
|
Modal
|
Was + Modal + Subject + Inf
|
Was willst du machen?
|
|
Past
|
Was + Aux + Subject + Participle
|
Was hast du gekauft?
|
|
Indirect
|
..., was + Subject + ... + Verb
|
Ich weiß, was du meinst.
|
|
Exclamatory
|
Was für ein + Noun
|
Was für ein Tag!
|
|
Relative
|
..., was + ... + Verb
|
Er lachte, was mich freute.
|
Formality Spectrum
Was tun Sie gerade? (Asking about current activity)
Was machst du gerade? (Asking about current activity)
Was machst'n? (Asking about current activity)
Was geht? (Asking about current activity)
The 'Was' Universe
Objects
- Was ist das? What is that?
Actions
- Was machst du? What are you doing?
Abstract
- Was bedeutet das? What does that mean?
Was vs. Welcher
Question Logic
Is it a specific choice?
Examples by Level
Was ist das?
What is that?
Was machst du?
What are you doing?
Was ist dein Name?
What is your name?
Was kostet das?
What does that cost?
Was möchtest du trinken?
What would you like to drink?
Was hast du gestern gemacht?
What did you do yesterday?
Was ist dein Lieblingsessen?
What is your favorite food?
Was passiert hier?
What is happening here?
Ich weiß nicht, was er meint.
I don't know what he means.
Was auch immer du sagst, ich bleibe dabei.
Whatever you say, I'm sticking to it.
Was hast du dir dabei gedacht?
What were you thinking?
Was für ein schönes Auto!
What a beautiful car!
Er kam zu spät, was mich sehr geärgert hat.
He arrived late, which annoyed me a lot.
Was die Zukunft bringt, weiß niemand.
What the future brings, nobody knows.
Was mich betrifft, so bin ich einverstanden.
As far as I am concerned, I agree.
Was gibt es Neues?
What's new?
Was immer er auch versucht, es gelingt ihm nicht.
Whatever he tries, he doesn't succeed.
Was das betrifft, sind wir uns einig.
Regarding that, we are in agreement.
Was man nicht weiß, macht einen nicht heiß.
What you don't know won't hurt you.
Was soll das heißen?
What is that supposed to mean?
Was auch immer geschehen mag, wir bleiben standhaft.
Whatever may happen, we remain steadfast.
Was für ein Mensch er auch sein mag, er hat geholfen.
Whatever kind of person he may be, he helped.
Was ist das für eine Art?
What kind of behavior is that?
Was man auch anstellt, es ist nie genug.
Whatever one does, it is never enough.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up 'what' and 'who'.
Learners use 'was' when they should use 'which'.
Learners use 'was' in formal writing where 'etwas' is required.
Common Mistakes
Was du machst?
Was machst du?
Was ist das Auto?
Welches Auto ist das?
Was ist dein Lieblingsessen?
Was ist dein Lieblingsessen?
Was macht er?
Was macht er?
Was möchtest du essen?
Was möchtest du essen?
Was hast du gesehen?
Was hast du gesehen?
Was ist das für ein?
Was ist das für ein Auto?
Ich weiß, was macht er.
Ich weiß, was er macht.
Was auch immer du sagst.
Was auch immer du sagst.
Was mich betrifft, ich bin bereit.
Was mich betrifft, so bin ich bereit.
Was für ein Mensch er ist, er ist nett.
Was für ein Mensch er auch sein mag, er ist nett.
Was man nicht weiß, tut nicht weh.
Was man nicht weiß, macht einen nicht heiß.
Was soll das?
Was soll das?
Sentence Patterns
Was ___ du ___?
Was ist ___?
Ich weiß nicht, was ___ ___.
Was auch immer du ___, ___.
Real World Usage
Was machst du gerade?
Was geht?
Was sind Ihre Stärken?
Was kostet das Ticket?
Was ist in der Pizza?
Was bedeutet dieses Wort?
Verb Position
Don't use 'was' for 'which'
Spoken Shortening
Directness
Smart Tips
If you have a choice, use 'welcher'.
Use 'wer' instead of 'was'.
Put the main verb at the end.
Use 'etwas' instead of 'was' for 'something'.
Pronunciation
Vowel length
The 'a' in 'was' is short.
Final 's'
The 's' is voiced like a 'z' in German.
Question intonation
Was machst du ↑?
Rising intonation at the end for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Was is for 'What', it's the start of the chat!
Visual Association
Imagine a giant 'WAS' written on a question mark shaped balloon floating in the sky.
Rhyme
When you want to know the plot, just use 'was' for 'what'!
Story
A detective walks into a room. He points at a mysterious box and asks 'Was ist das?'. He then points at a person and asks 'Was machst du?'. Finally, he looks at the evidence and says 'Was ist passiert?'.
Word Web
Challenge
Ask 5 questions using 'Was' to your German-speaking friends or in your journal today.
Cultural Notes
Germans are direct. 'Was?' is common but can sound blunt if not softened.
Austrians often use 'Was' followed by 'denn' to soften the question.
Swiss German speakers often use 'Was' in specific dialectal constructions.
Derived from Old High German 'hwaz', related to English 'what'.
Conversation Starters
Was ist dein Lieblingsessen?
Was hast du am Wochenende gemacht?
Was bedeutet dieser Satz für dich?
Was hältst du von der aktuellen Situation?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
___ machst du?
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Was ist das Auto?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
What is your name?
Answer starts with: Wie...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
möchten / was / du / essen / ?
Was ___ (machen) du?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises___ machst du?
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Was ist das Auto?
du / machst / was / ?
What is your name?
Was ist das?
möchten / was / du / essen / ?
Was ___ (machen) du?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises___ ist dein Lieblingslied?
du / Was / heute / isst / ?
What are you buying?
1. Was ist das? | 2. Wer ist das? | 3. Was machst du?
Ich habe etwas für dich. (Shorten 'etwas')
How much does the app cost?
___ hast du gestern auf Netflix geschaut?
What did you say?
Asking someone to repeat what they said:
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, use 'wer' for people.
German questions follow V2 word order.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Use 'was' for general, 'welcher' for specific.
Yes, as an indefinite pronoun.
In direct questions, yes.
Use 'Was für ein...'.
Yes, dialects may use 'was' differently.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
qué
Spanish has 'qué' and 'cuál', while German has 'was' and 'welcher'.
quoi
French requires 'qu'est-ce que' for standard questions.
nani
Japanese is SOV, German is V2.
madha
Arabic has different forms for formal and informal speech.
shenme
Chinese does not change word order for questions.
what
English uses 'do-support' for questions, German does not.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
German Dative Reflexive Pronouns (mir, dir, sich)
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Asking About Things: Wo-Compounds (worüber, wovon)
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German Accusative Pronouns: me, you, him (mich, dich, ihn)
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German Pronouns: Matching Gender (er, sie, es)
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Informal 'Your' (dein)
Overview In German, expressing possession requires careful attention to context, specifically who you are addressing and...
